Water
Water. It is one of the critical things for survival. We can live for about three days without water. We have to have it.
Most civilizations arose around water – lakes, rivers, oceans – because if you have water, you can get the other things you need to live. Agriculture is impossible without water; water from the sky or water from irrigation works, the source is irrelevant.
Two of today’s lectionary texts talk about water. The Old Testament lesson is the story of the people of Israel wandering through the wilderness and running out of water. They appeal to Moses, not with anything particularly flowery; they say, “Give us water to drink.” (Exodus 17:2a NRSV) Moses realizes the production of water is beyond him, appeals to God, who responds with water miraculously coming from a rock.
Our Gospel lesson has the story of Jesus’ encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well. The woman is a triple-threat, so to say; she is quintuply divorced, she is a Samaritan, and she is a woman. She is surprised Jesus is even willing to talk to her. But Jesus does talk to her, and we get Jesus’ insights into what living water is. The Samaritan woman gains a new understanding of God and God’s interest in human beings. I hope the sermon does the same for you. As always, let me know as you are inclined and able.
“Water” St. Mark’s Presbyterian (to download, right-click and select “Save Link As . . .”)
Blessings,
